Increased selection pressure for high cutability pigs has resulted in a high frequency of halothane n gene in commercial pig production as these pigs have a greater capacity to develop muscle than pigs lacking the n gene. Utilization of these animals, however, has created major problems for pork producers. As a result, many independent and commercial seedstock producers in the US have made an effort to eliminate halothane genetics from breeding populations. Halothane positive pigs (nn) are highly stress susceptible and often generate a pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat. Much is known about PSE development, which is related to accelerated metabolism of carbohydrate reserves in muscle during the early postmortem period. During this period, muscle pH is lower at a crucial time when carcass temperature is elevated. As a result, these induce greater protein denaturation and, ultimately, a product with undesirable process-ing and consumer appeal. The role of the halothane gene in aggravating postmortem metabolism is thought to occur from increased cytosolic calcium levels which hastens postmortem metabolism. It is not known, however, whether the has-tened postmortem metabolism observed with the halothane genotype is related to differences in con tractile protein content.